Kitchens isn't just a restaurant to me—it's where my life's journey truly began. In 1993, as a teenager, I walked through these doors for my very first job. Jim and Bunny Young took a chance on me, providing not just employment, but a foundation that would shape my future in countless ways.

For four formative years, this place was my second home. As a child in a single-parent household, the income was essential, but what I gained went far beyond a paycheck. Between these walls, I learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and community—lessons that kept me grounded and out of trouble during those impressionable years.

My father, Curtis, was Kitchens' most loyal customer. Almost every morning without fail, you'd find him at his regular table enjoying breakfast and coffee, becoming as much a fixture here as the building itself. After losing my mother when I was just ten, my father raised me single-handedly, and our bond grew unbreakable. Many of our most precious moments together happened right here at Kitchens.

This building has stood since 1899, first as a hardware store and later evolving to include food and the restaurant that became the heart of our small town. It's more than a business—it's a landmark, a meeting place, a keeper of our community's stories and traditions.

When the opportunity came to purchase Kitchens, I saw it as more than a business investment. I believe small businesses are the backbone of America, the authentic character of our communities, and sadly, they're disappearing at an alarming rate. I've always believed that if you have the ability to preserve something valuable, you have the responsibility to do so.

By purchasing Kitchens, I honor my father's memory, preserve a piece of our town's heritage, and continue the legacy of all its prior owners — giving back to a place that gave me so much. This isn't just about serving food; it's about serving community, preserving history, and creating a space where new generations can find opportunity, connection, and belonging—just as I once did.

I invite you to come to Kitchens and see for yourself what makes this place so special. My hope is you love it as much as I do.